The architecture of this ladle is atypical and highly sculptural—from the deep cove that separates the bowl and stem, the intricate open work around the otters body and tail, to the scale and orientation. Due to these factors, this author feels that it was likely made as a presentation piece, by a Woodlands artisan and gifted to someone involved in the fur trade (given the subject of the piece).

Pipes of similar imagery and orientation made by the Micmac have been documented. Additionally, a handled cup of similar design, though recorded as Nipmuc, is in the collection of the Worcester Historical Museum and illustrated in Willoughby, Antiquities of the New England Indians, p. 259, fig. 139.